Nest Boxes

Nest boxes are described generally in many texts and websites, so I'll skip the re-hash. Instead, I'll simply mention a few points that are generally relevant.

Nest box floor

The most important characteristic of any nestbox for any type of bird is simply that healthy babies should emerge. In particular, the babies must not sit directly on a relatively smooth surface such as plywood. If this occurs for a significant time span, the babies will develop a condition known as "spraddle legs," in which the legs extend out to the sides, rather than being tucked nicely beneath their bodies. A simple preventive measure is to cut an extra piece of plywood to act as a false floor in the box, and to score this piece of plywood with a saw (to about 1/8 inch depth). Drop the false bottom into the box, and cover with a couple inches of wood shavings. If the parents shove the shaving off to the sides, a rough floor will be exposed (rather than a smooth floor).

When it's time to clean the nest box, the false bottom can be dumped out (or lifted out by inserting a screw to act as a handle). Then wash the bottom and bake it in the oven until sterile.

Entry perch

Virtually everyone says that a nestbox should have a perch extending from beneath the entry hole. However, if nature is used as our reference, it is a virtual certainty that we'll find very few perches directly beneath nest sites. Certainly it is convenient to have a "walk-in" entry hole; however, this may reduce the perceived safety of a hole by giving a trespasser a very secure foothold just outside the nest. If instead the nearest perch is at least a hop away, then the resident inside the box will have secure footing while a hopeful invader will not.

In my experience, lories are very good at flying straight into holes. They appear to lead with their feet and head, and they disappear inside without hesitation. This is true even for very small holes (provided of course that the bird can fit through the hole).